Social support, intrusive thoughts, and quality of life in breast cancer survivors

This study explores the moderating effect of social support on the relation ship between cancer-related intrusive thoughts and quality of life. Sixty-f our breast cancer survivors completed self-report measures of appraisal soc ial support (the disclosure of thoughts and feelings to significant others) , cancer-related intrusive thoughts, and quality of life. Controlling for d emographic and treatment variables th e negative impact of cancer-related i ntrusive thoughts on both physical and mental quality of life measures was moderated by appraisal social support. For women with high levels of apprai sal support, cancer-related intrusive thoughts had no significant relations hip with quality of life. However, for women with low levels of appraisal s upport, the relationship between cancer-related intrusive thoughts and dual ity of life was significant and negative. These results suggest that apprai sal social support can mitigate the impact of traumatic life events.